Embarrassingly late obligatory Supernatural catch-up post
Well, if I can't play Professor Layton and Pandora's Box until Sunday, I might as well do something constructive with my time.
I just knew this one was going to be written by Sera Gamble, given the sheer amount of religous-themed wankery there was in the opening five minutes - which made it odd when the rest of the episode took a vastly different track. Sure, it was about one of the horsemen of the apocalypse, but at least it didn't involve anyone sitting on their fanny and ruminating about theology like some of Sera Gamble's less successful episodes have done, so hurrah.
It was great to see Ellen and Jo back, even if I didn't feel like we really saw enough of either of them. I hope Alona Tal and Samantha Ferris will get to come back at some point this series, because they're both great, and I think there's still a lot that could be done with their characters - and because this show is decidedly short on kickass females.
I love that Bobby enjoys Castiel's presence about as much as I do. Bobby is so awesome.
I did like the idea that there were no demons in this one - that it was essentially Supernatural's take on Sartre, bringing out the concept that the real threat is humankind, that there are no demons, but our own innate fear is the actual enemy. The whole thing with the ring was a bit too Charmed for my liking and I felt like they should've had to destroy it rather than just remove it for the effects to be removed, but those are fairly minor quibbles in what I thought was otherwise a pretty strong episode.
As for the ending scene - again, I guess it had to be said, but I'm just not sure how much of the season I want to sit through with the boys not trusting each other.
Also, on a shallow note, Sam should let his hair fall into his face more often, instead of always having it so aggressively pushed back. It looks much better that way, I think.
***********
Wow, Jo and Ellen last episode, Jessica this week - the continuity fair is sure feeling generous this season.
The Twilight reference was kind of funny, but I had kind of hoped that would be the sort of pop-cultural reference that Dean would've managed to avoid. Unless his secret shame is that he's a total fangirl in private and just thinks Edward Cullen is the most perfect dreamboat there ever could be. Which would be kind of funny, I guess.
So, did I miss the part where Castiel was possessed by Anya from Buffy and the end result is a hilariously literal take on human life? Because I have to say, Anya did it better when she had Emma Caulfield's body and comic timing. Just saying. Speaking of Buffy, I have to say that I had more than enough supernatural drug metaphors during season six, so I really wish they'd lay off Sam and his blood addictions, at least to that extent. Fine, show the lasting repercussions of him becoming a scary blood-drinking fiend last season, but could we not have it more in terms of his horror of what he's become rather than the rather tedious "what if I fall off the wagon?" plotline that we keep being peddled?
Despite what I said in last episode's commentary, Jared's hair looked good this week even though it was largely pushed back. It's a very odd situation.
I found the whole "let's get Castiel laid" plotline kind of gross. And if they're going to keep Sam and Dean apart for a long time, and instead I'm going to be stuck with Dean and Castiel - well, that's one easy way to piss off a long-serving viewer, Kripke.
"Surely you remember Zachariah giving you stomach cancer?" Well, I always found his hammy performances gut-wrenching to watch, but I wouldn't go THAT far.
How typical of this show that even the apocalypse ends up being a direct result of daddy issues. I suppose it was all to be expected though. Left to its own devices, this show tends to roll back either to tedious angel-related navel-gazing or daddy issues. And the daddy issues are generally the more tolerable of the two options.
"I've had more fun with you in the past 24 hours than I've had with Sam in years." Fuck you, Jeremy Carver. That is a shitty, shitty thing to make Dean say. Sure, he's probably angry at Sam right now, and maybe he's not entirely without reason, but I don't believe that's how he actually feels, and honestly? If titting around in brothels with Castiel is genuinely what the writers perceive to be Dean's idea of fun, then Dean sucks. Maybe it's just because it's late and I'm tired, but I was just so annoyed at having four seasons of largely well-crafted strained fraternal relations suddenly pissed up the wall so we could all hear about how awesome Castiel is, which I'm sure is in no way related to the fact that a large number of fangirls want to climb inside Misha Collins' underpants. Whatever. If Dean needs a new travelling companion, then give him Ellen. I know she has a vagina and everything, but maybe it's time for a brave new direction.
I just knew this one was going to be written by Sera Gamble, given the sheer amount of religous-themed wankery there was in the opening five minutes - which made it odd when the rest of the episode took a vastly different track. Sure, it was about one of the horsemen of the apocalypse, but at least it didn't involve anyone sitting on their fanny and ruminating about theology like some of Sera Gamble's less successful episodes have done, so hurrah.
It was great to see Ellen and Jo back, even if I didn't feel like we really saw enough of either of them. I hope Alona Tal and Samantha Ferris will get to come back at some point this series, because they're both great, and I think there's still a lot that could be done with their characters - and because this show is decidedly short on kickass females.
I love that Bobby enjoys Castiel's presence about as much as I do. Bobby is so awesome.
I did like the idea that there were no demons in this one - that it was essentially Supernatural's take on Sartre, bringing out the concept that the real threat is humankind, that there are no demons, but our own innate fear is the actual enemy. The whole thing with the ring was a bit too Charmed for my liking and I felt like they should've had to destroy it rather than just remove it for the effects to be removed, but those are fairly minor quibbles in what I thought was otherwise a pretty strong episode.
As for the ending scene - again, I guess it had to be said, but I'm just not sure how much of the season I want to sit through with the boys not trusting each other.
Also, on a shallow note, Sam should let his hair fall into his face more often, instead of always having it so aggressively pushed back. It looks much better that way, I think.
***********
Wow, Jo and Ellen last episode, Jessica this week - the continuity fair is sure feeling generous this season.
The Twilight reference was kind of funny, but I had kind of hoped that would be the sort of pop-cultural reference that Dean would've managed to avoid. Unless his secret shame is that he's a total fangirl in private and just thinks Edward Cullen is the most perfect dreamboat there ever could be. Which would be kind of funny, I guess.
So, did I miss the part where Castiel was possessed by Anya from Buffy and the end result is a hilariously literal take on human life? Because I have to say, Anya did it better when she had Emma Caulfield's body and comic timing. Just saying. Speaking of Buffy, I have to say that I had more than enough supernatural drug metaphors during season six, so I really wish they'd lay off Sam and his blood addictions, at least to that extent. Fine, show the lasting repercussions of him becoming a scary blood-drinking fiend last season, but could we not have it more in terms of his horror of what he's become rather than the rather tedious "what if I fall off the wagon?" plotline that we keep being peddled?
Despite what I said in last episode's commentary, Jared's hair looked good this week even though it was largely pushed back. It's a very odd situation.
I found the whole "let's get Castiel laid" plotline kind of gross. And if they're going to keep Sam and Dean apart for a long time, and instead I'm going to be stuck with Dean and Castiel - well, that's one easy way to piss off a long-serving viewer, Kripke.
"Surely you remember Zachariah giving you stomach cancer?" Well, I always found his hammy performances gut-wrenching to watch, but I wouldn't go THAT far.
How typical of this show that even the apocalypse ends up being a direct result of daddy issues. I suppose it was all to be expected though. Left to its own devices, this show tends to roll back either to tedious angel-related navel-gazing or daddy issues. And the daddy issues are generally the more tolerable of the two options.
"I've had more fun with you in the past 24 hours than I've had with Sam in years." Fuck you, Jeremy Carver. That is a shitty, shitty thing to make Dean say. Sure, he's probably angry at Sam right now, and maybe he's not entirely without reason, but I don't believe that's how he actually feels, and honestly? If titting around in brothels with Castiel is genuinely what the writers perceive to be Dean's idea of fun, then Dean sucks. Maybe it's just because it's late and I'm tired, but I was just so annoyed at having four seasons of largely well-crafted strained fraternal relations suddenly pissed up the wall so we could all hear about how awesome Castiel is, which I'm sure is in no way related to the fact that a large number of fangirls want to climb inside Misha Collins' underpants. Whatever. If Dean needs a new travelling companion, then give him Ellen. I know she has a vagina and everything, but maybe it's time for a brave new direction.